Editorial: Strong Western Massachusetts voices join Board of Early Education and Care

Cheryl Stanle, left, dean of the education department at Westfield State University, and Mary Walachy, director of the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, have been named to serve on the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care's board. Don Treeger / The Republican file

As Springfield officials embark on turnaround efforts to help lift underperforming elementary, middle and high schools, we’re pleased that the Bay State continues to make early education programs a priority.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval L. Patrick has long been an advocate for early education for all youngsters, making it a budget priority this year, and recently President Barack Obama has taken up the cause on a national level.

Locally, we are fortunate to have strong advocates like Mary Walachy and Cheryl Stanley. That’s why we’re pleased that Walachy, the executive director of the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation and Stanley, dean of the education department at Westfield State University, have been named to the state Board of Early Education and Care, the agency which oversees policy for pre-school, day care and early grade school.

Walachy and Stanley bring passion and a deep knowledge of what needs to be done at this critical juncture in a child’s life – and their voices are needed in Boston.

As Springfield schools work to build a workforce of talented teachers, it’s important to recognize that kids need those teachers from the very start.